BAY MINETTE, Alabama — The North Baldwin Friends of First Responders group is proceeding with plans to honor the area’s first responders, but this year’s event will be different.
In 2018, the group started the First Responder Appreciation Dinner with the first two events held in September. The event was started with the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce as a way to show appreciation for first responders and what they do for the community. Donations are made through the North Baldwin Chamber Foundation, a 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Last year’s event at Matthews Landing at Lower Bryant Landing in Stockton drew more than 300 guests from 25 first responder groups. But when it was time for this year’s event, it was decided it would be impossible to do a sit-down dinner because of concerns over the Coronavirus, and the September event was canceled. Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Sally blew through Baldwin County, then Hurricane Zeta also affected northern Baldwin County.
“I was approached by a friend who said we have to do something for our first responders this year,” said Carol Messer with the North Baldwin Friends of First Responders group. “Particularly this year when they have worked so hard to get our communities back up and running, we had to do something to show our appreciation for them.”
So, instead of a sit-down dinner, the group reached out to area businesses, asking them to donate to lunch for local first responders. The group also reached out to Bay Minette Elementary and Perdido Elementary, asking students to prepare cards, which would be included in gift baskets provided for first responders.
“The response was overwhelming,” Messer said. “Thanks to the response of our local businesses, all of the cost for this year’s event has been covered.”
During the week of Dec. 14 lunches, prepared by Water Oak Coastal Catering and The Kahalley House, will be delivered along with gift baskets to departments served by the North Baldwin Friends of First Responders.
Departments served through the Third Annual First Responder Appreciation include the Bay Minette Fire Department, Medstar Air Care 1, Stapleton Volunteer Fire Department, Bay Minette Police Department, Alabama Power, Baldwin EMC, Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, North Baldwin EMS, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Alabama Marine Patrol (Southern District), Alabama State Troopers, Baldwin County 9-1-1, Medstar and North Baldwin Utilities.
The group will also be sending gift and snack baskets to North Baldwin Volunteer Fire Department and North Baldwin Sheriff’s Search and Rescue.
Gift baskets will be provided to all first responder groups in the North Baldwin area, which in addition to ones already listed, include the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department; Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency; Little River Volunteer Fire Department; Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department; Perdido Volunteer Fire Department; Pine Grove Volunteer Fire Department; Rabun Volunteer Fire Department; Tensaw Volunteer Fire Department; White House Fork Volunteer Fire Department; Lottie Volunteer Fire Department; Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers; Poarch Band of Creek Indians Fire Rescue.
As of Friday, Dec. 4, sponsors for the event included Matthews Landing, Norris Funeral Home, Beans on Hand, American Pride, VFW Post 3568, the North Baldwin Chamber (through the North Baldwin Chamber Foundation), Blooming Fabulous, Water Oak Catering, Chuck Stevens, North Baldwin Infirmary, The First, Pepsi Cola of Atmore, SAV, Baily Realty Group, McMillan and Associates, North Baldwin Utilities, Edward Jones/Heather Singleton and United Bank.
Hopefully, Messer said, they will be able to return to a sit-down dinner next year and while the event is not open to the general public, they are always open to donations and volunteers to help with the event.
You can make donations to the North Baldwin Chamber Foundation (in the memo line note to “Friends of First Responders”), 301 McMeans Ave., Bay Minette, AL, 36507, or mail to P.O. Box 310, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
If you would like more information on how to donate or volunteer for next year’s event, you can contact Messer at 228-257-1888 or email coachmesser@gmail.com.
